China urges ‘objective, scientific’ focus for WHO’s next Covid-19 origins hunt
- Foreign ministry vows country will ‘continue to support and participate in’ global origins tracing, and ‘oppose any political manipulation’
- WHO has named a group of international scientists who will head future research into the virus’ origins
The comments came after the WHO on Wednesday revealed the group of international scientists who will lead future research to try to trace the emergence of the virus, which was first identified in China nearly two years ago.
Speaking on Thursday, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian also appeared to leave the door open to future field missions in the country.
“China will continue to support and participate in the global scientific origins tracing, and resolutely oppose any form of political manipulation,” Zhao said, when asked whether China would allow further missions if asked by the WHO group.
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The previous mission in China early this year should be the foundation for future work and “adhere to a global perspective”, Zhao said.